NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Strong-Motion Engineering Seismology: The Key to Understanding and Reducing the Damaging Effects of Earthquakes.
- File
- PB287099.pdf
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Applied Science and Research Applications., January 1973, 27 p.
- Abstract
- Strong-motion seismographs are used to record the ground motions in the near-source regions of earthquakes, which are of primary importance for engineering purposes. Knowledge of the key elements of strong ground motion, namely, displacement, velocity, acceleration, and duration, is essential to the development of earthquake-resistant engineering design. It is also an important factor in understanding basic seismological phenomena such as the focal mechanisms of earthquakes. It is noted that application of strong-motion information from one region to the conditions in another is of debatable validity without a fuller understanding of the major factors involved. The Panel on Strong-Motion Seismology believes that an accelerated program must be instituted immediately. The panel recommends the following: (1) an increase of 2,000 strong-motion instrument stations in the United States, at least one fourth of them to be emplaced east of the Rocky Mountains; (2) a program that will include efficient distribution of instruments, improved gathering and processing of data, and improved education in the use and application of data; (3) intensification of research into the causes and mechanism of earthquakes; and (4) funding of about $20 million to establish and maintain the recommended program over a 5 year period.
- Keywords
- Earthquake resistant structures; Strong motion seismology; Earth movements; Earthquake engineering; Seismological stations; Site surveys; Seismographs; Earthquakes